Sharpening Techniques for Carving Tools

Carving tools require regular sharpening to maintain safe, effective cutting edges. Some heavy cut carving tools such as axes can be sharpened using belt sanders fitted with fine grit sanding belts, but fine wood carving tools should always be sharpened using a standard honing block to ensure a strong and sharp cutting blade is maintained.

Honing brick
Honing oil
Dry cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Place the honing block on a flat, level surface, and then apply a drop of honing oil to its surface. Work the oil across the face of the block using your thumb until the entire surface of the brick is covered.
- 2
  Place the blade edge on the surface of the block facing away from you. Angle it slightly, then press the blade flat against the block to avoid rounding the blade edge.
- 3
  Push the blade edge away from you at a slight angle, and then replace the blade where you began with the opposite side of the blade pressed against the honing block this time. Continue to sharpen the blade on both sides until the desired level of sharpness has been reached.
- 4
  Wipe the sharpened blade carefully with a clean, soft cloth to remove excess honing oil and honing brick dust.

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